We have a message type board in the kitchen that we keep important letters, dental appointments etc. pinned to. I was perusing it this morning and came across my ticket for Franz Ferdinand. Just as well I looked as the gig is tonight! I'm getting senile in my old age as I'd completely forgotten that it was this month never mind this week.

Not much happening in Nephland of late. A nice family break in Aviemore was one of the recent highlights, okay the the ONLY recent highlight. Apart, that is, from meeting up with Dods, Ash, Baldie Pete and his good wife Ann for some whisky tasting. Off to see the League of Gentlemen on Sunday then Little Britain the following Sunday. I'm not particularly looking forward to either but we'll see. I applied for a new job but didn't even get an interview which pissed me off as I usually do quite well, all smarm and charm under these circumstances. Anyway, onwards and upwards...............although sideways will do for now.

Got a CD player for my car at Christmas. I have entered the 21st century at last. ::)

Well that lasted a long time. On Monday I managed to crash into a rather large bin lorry leaving me a bit sore and the care in a right state. I received a phone call today from the insurance company informing me that it is not economically viable to fix the car. I can only presume there was major damage to the engine or chassis. On Monday I was just relieved to get out unhurt but the whole incident is now starting to piss me off. It was my own fault so my ire is self directed. That'll teach me to be more careful next time.

Well that lasted a long time. On Monday I managed to crash into a rather large bin lorry leaving me a bit sore and the care in a right state. I received a phone call today from the insurance company informing me that it is not economically viable to fix the car. I can only presume there was major damage to the engine or chassis. On Monday I was just relieved to get out unhurt but the whole incident is now starting to piss me off. It was my own fault so my ire is self directed. That'll teach me to be more careful next time.

Whoa!! Thats bad news mate!! - Be grateful you are OK though - cars can be replaced - sometimes it's a hassle yes - but so long as you are OK be grateful for that.

I always find it's the inconvenience and all the phone calling/chasing up that gets to you in these cases.Salvage the CD player anyway!

It has been a bit of a hassle so far. It will be the getting to work that will be the problem although for the next couple of weeks that shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully I'll have a new car by then although I won't hold my breath. I'm off to rescue the CD player tomorrow.

It has been a bit of a hassle so far. It will be the getting to work that will be the problem although for the next couple of weeks that shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully I'll have a new car by then although I won't hold my breath. I'm off to rescue the CD player tomorrow.

does you're policy not cover you for a loan car while your car is being replaced/off the road..??

To tell the truth, I've been a bit pre-occupied with my own problems to even enquire after people I know as dear friends so I can hardly complain about anything at my end of the river. One thing I do know is - everyone on this board has each others well being at heart. I've seen it in the past and I see it on a day to day basis. That's why I return here, no matter what my mood or frame or mind. I have support regardless of whether I ask for it or not, an invisible safety net that prevents me from crashing too low, a parachute that opens when all else fails, and more importantly people who I think about every day even if it is for a fleeting moment.

The ebb and flow of life keeps you on your toes. Sometimes the undertow drags you down and envelopes you until you feel that the next breath could be your last. Sometimes you surf the waves like a modern day messiah, arms spread wide, absorbing every sensation, nerve endings consuming every moment as if it was your last.

Well, the usual prolonged anguish of ticket buying was eased considerably by that very nice man Ashley Davidson's sterling efforts. I did swither on what dates to go to but decided to do them all eventually. I promised myself I wouldn't do as much driving as the last time but it looks like more of the same this time. At least I'm only driving straight back after one show and that's the last date in Manchester. I can't quite believe I've been so fortunate in the way the tour dates have panned out. I have a family holiday booked to start on the 15th, hence the reason for returning home immediately after the Manchester show.

Well, the usual prolonged anguish of ticket buying was eased considerably by that very nice man Ashley Davidson's sterling efforts. I did swither on what dates to go to but decided to do them all eventually. I promised myself I wouldn't do as much driving as the last time but it looks like more of the same this time. At least I'm only driving straight back after one show and that's the last date in Manchester. I can't quite believe I've been so fortunate in the way the tour dates have panned out. I have a family holiday booked to start on the 15th, hence the reason for returning home immediately after the Manchester show.

I'm in the process of selling my house. The last time I sold a property was ten years ago so I'm bit out of practice. The photographs and the schedule have been put together, all that's left is for somebody to pay the large sum of money that is being asked for. When we bought the house in 1996 we paid

Things seemed to have takewn a turn for the better. My brother seems to be in a far better state of mind and has accepted that his marriage is over, that's always the first step of any recovery. At least he can now start making plans for his future. The second piece of good news is - it looks like I've sold my house!! We've accepted an offer and the survey has given the house the all clear. All we need to do is get some signatures and it's done and dusted. Hopefully we'll get moved into the new house before too long. ;D

Things seemed to have takewn a turn for the better. My brother seems to be in a far better state of mind and has accepted that his marriage is over, that's always the first step of any recovery. At least he can now start making plans for his future. The second piece of good news is - it looks like I've sold my house!! We've accepted an offer and the survey has given the house the all clear. All we need to do is get some signatures and it's done and dusted. Hopefully we'll get moved into the new house before too long. ;D

Me and Mrs. Neph went to the opera last night. It's been a couple of years since we've been and it was truly amazing. My wife likes the opera more than I do but I'm always hugely entertained when I go. It was Madam Butterfly last night (first time seeing it) and I was totally gripped from start to finish. We had seats fourth row from the front, so we had the orchestra full blast as well as the cast, with their amazing voices, giving it their all. The melodrama that appears to pervade every opera should grate somewhat, but for some reason it only adds to the spectacle. If you have never been then go at least once in your life, you'll not regret it.

I'm supposed to be moving house on August 10th although I've a sneaky feeling the woman buying our house may back out at the last minute. She's been very awkward at every opportunity, although she does buy and sell houses for a living so I suppose this is how she is with most house purchases. We have concluded, which means if she pulls out she is liable for our expenses (which are considerable) but it's not final until the missives are signed. This is only the second time we have have sold a property and it's been far more stressful than the first time. I don't think we'll be rushing to do it again. So, only three weeks to possibly being in our new, and I mean brand new, four bedroom, three toilet house. As my dad used to say, "you can only shit in one toilet at a time so why would you need more than one". He's probably right you know.

I'm supposed to be moving house on August 10th although I've a sneaky feeling the woman buying our house may back out at the last minute. She's been very awkward at every opportunity, although she does buy and sell houses for a living so I suppose this is how she is with most house purchases. We have concluded, which means if she pulls out she is liable for our expenses (which are considerable) but it's not final until the missives are signed. This is only the second time we have have sold a property and it's been far more stressful than the first time. I don't think we'll be rushing to do it again. So, only three weeks to possibly being in our new, and I mean brand new, four bedroom, three toilet house. As my dad used to say, "you can only shit in one toilet at a time so why would you need more than one". He's probably right you know.

Hope it goes well for you Neph...selling houses is a bloody nightmare. We are currently still trying to sell ours after losing a sale with the first person who came to look at it six months ago. Good luck.

Hope it goes well for you Neph...selling houses is a bloody nightmare. We are currently still trying to sell ours after losing a sale with the first person who came to look at it six months ago. Good luck.

Many thanks Longshanks. Well things are looking good as far as the house is concerned. The buyer came round this evening with her builder and, get this, her interior designer! She apologised for the arseing around etc. so it looks like everything is set for us to move in two weeks time. I'll miss the sunny seaside town of North Berwick, even if it will only be a few miles away. I've never been a sentimental type of person but it will feel odd leaving the house my daughter has lived in since she was 9 months old and the home my son has lived in all his live. I remember when we moved from Edinburgh to North Berwick, I thought to myself why are we moving somewhere that is so remote. After a few weeks of living here that thought soon left me, this town is such a great place to live. To it's detriment it is hugely middle class, but really that's it's only fault. To be able to take a stroll along a beautiful beach on a whim is fantastic, to be within a 30 minute train journey of the centre of Edinburgh is great, and to have had such great neighbours has been an unexpected joy. And there was me saying how unsentimental I was. My daughter starts high school after the holidays (surely it was only yesterday she was born) and the nearest high school is.............................North Berwick, so we've decided to keep Tommy (our son in case you didn't know)at North Berwick Primary for at least the next year. I spoke with my brother a while back and he seemed to be in a good place, he's come to grips with his marriage break up and now realises that his relationship with his two sons is the most important thing. I'm still feeling a bit sorry for him at the moment as he lives in the lost city of Atlantis, sorry Tewksbury. Apparently he has sand bags round his front door but the water has not made it's way through. He's probably pissing and shitting into a bucket but there are worse things you can do, well it's either the bucket or the bath. :o We've just been up to Aviemore for a few days, I don't know why but I really love Speyside and the Cairngorms. Took my children out kayaking on Loch Insh - I won't do that again in a hurry. We went round in circles, hitting anything and everything that was still or moved. No wonder we were called in early. "Come in number 23 you are absolutely pish!" I've yapped on longer than I realised - must be the wine again. Anyway, until next time.

Took my children out kayaking on Loch Insh - I won't do that again in a hurry. We went round in circles, hitting anything and everything that was still or moved. No wonder we were called in early. "Come in number 23 you are absolutely pish!" I've yapped on longer than I realised - must be the wine again. Anyway, until next time.

Don't worry - kids are shite in canoes. I take mine every year down the Dordogne and they think they've paddled the whole length but without me, we'd still be circling 10 yards offshore from the departure point!

Well, I eventually moved and I eventually got my internet connection back.......................Hoorah!!

My new house is very nice indeed. I've never been too interested in houses, as long as I had my music I'd live just about anywhere. However, this new house is nicer than anything I've lived in before and is in a nice rural location where the swallows and housemartins swoop around for most of the day. I'm now a mere 4 minutes drive from work which is areal boon after a 13 hour shift. I'll post some pics shortly.

I'm still settling in to the new house. I must admit it's taking longer than expected but I think that's down to having twice as much space as before. I finally got around to buying a new digital camera so here are some photos.

(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/nephronic/SNV30034.jpg)The front of my new house.

(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l286/nephronic/SNV30036.jpg)The view from my bedroom window of the old barn.

Only two days to go before the start of the tour! When the tour was announced it seemed a long way off but it's come around quicker than I thought. Unfortunately, for me, I'm working night shift today and tomorrow so come Wednesday I'll be a tad tired. I'm sure when Rush hit the stage the tiredness will disappear.

It's time to cut down on the drink.It's time to cut down on the takeaways.It's time to lose some weight.Wish me luck.

I've managed to cut out the drink completely, save for a couple of glasses of wine the other week. I/we've not had a takeaway this year which is quite a feat considering we were having about three a week. Consequently, and thankfully, I'm managing to lose some weight. I've lost about 10lb so far, not as much as I'd hoped but I've been pretty immobile of late (trapped nerve in hip). Once I'm back to work and start taking some regular exercise the weight should come off a bit quicker.